Iranian film in the running for foreign language Oscar

A taut domestic drama from Iran is competing against a Belgian thriller, a true Polish war story and dramas from Canada and Israel in the race for the best foreign language Oscar.

Nominees announced on Tuesday in Los Angeles include A Separation, the story of a marital breakdown and its far-reaching consequences by Iranian writer-director Asghar Farhadi.

The film has already won the Golden Globe for best foreign language film, and also gained Farhadi an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.

Wide ranging category
It’s up against Bullhead, a Belgian crime drama set amid the world of cattle rearing and hormone dealing from director Michael R Roskam, and Footnote, a mordant tale of father-son rivalry in academe by Israel’s Joseph Cedar.

The final nominees are In Darkness by Poland’s Agnieszka Holland, based on the true story of a Pole who hid Jews from the Nazis in sewage canals, and Monsieur Lazhar, the story of an Algerian immigrant substitute teacher who helps a group of children get over a death by Canada’s Philippe Falardeau.

Winners of the 84th annual Oscars will be announced at a February 26 ceremony at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre.—Sapa-AP